Abstract. Inherited optic neuropathies are a genetically diverse group of disorders mainly characterized by visual loss and optic atrophy. Since the first recognition of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy, several genetic defects altering primary mitochondrial respiration have been proposed to contribute to the development of syndromic and nonsyndromic optic neuropathies. Moreover, the genomics and imaging revolution in the past decade has increased diagnostic efficiency and accuracy, allowing recognition of a link between mitochondrial dynamics machinery and a broad range of inherited neurodegenerative diseases involving the optic nerve. Mutations of novel genes modifying mainly the balance between mitochondrial fusion and fission have been shown to lead to overlapping clinical phenotypes ranging from isolated optic atrophy to severe, sometimes lethal multisystem disorders, and are reviewed herein. Given the particular vulnerability of retinal ganglion cells to mitochondrial dysfunction, the accessibility of the eye as a part of the central nervous system and improvements in technical imaging concerning assessment of the retinal nerve fiber layer, optic nerve evaluation becomes critical -even in asymptomatic patients -for correct diagnosis, understanding and early treatment of these complex and enigmatic clinical entities.Mitochondria represent a tubular and branched membrane system playing a fundamental role in several cellular processes required for the development and maintenance of an organism, such as metabolism, apoptosis, ion buffering and autophagy (1-3). They reveal a high degree of interconnectivity and plasticity, mainly dictated by metabolic status and developmental stage (4) and, therefore, a constant state of mitochondrial network flux is fundamental. This dynamic state is achieved through mitochondrial dynamics, a complex machinery of highly conserved mechanisms, including mitochondrial fusion, fission, transport, interorganellar communication and mitochondrial quality control (i.e. mitophagy), tuned to a variety of signals and stimuli (5-7), and well-orchestrated by specific intracellular proteins.The morphology and intracellular distribution of mitochondria vary significantly between tissues and cell types, being enriched in areas of increased metabolic demand, such as neurons, especially the presynaptic and postsynaptic terminals (8). Accordingly, it is not surprising that the pathogenic mechanism of various neurodegenerative diseases is established through an underlying deficiency of mitochondrial energy metabolism (9). However, in recent years it has been shown that impairment of mitochondrial dynamics also leads to synaptic dysfunction, dendritic and axonal degeneration and consequently to neurodegeneration (10,11). In this respect, restoration of mitochondrial function has become, for some time now, the priority target of novel neuroprotective strategies (12).Mitochondrial membrane dynamics, and more specifically fission and fusion, are indispensable for mitochondrial distribution and hom...